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Slutwalk Vancouver Rallies Against Victim-blaming

Article from a participant about the purpose — and the controversial name — of the demonstrations that are now taking place around the world to change our perspective on rape.

It all started in Toronto at York University. On January 24, Toronto police officer Const. Michael Sanguinetti said to a group of students at a safety seminar: “Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” That was the last straw for many Toronto citizens. On April 3, more than 3,000 people took a stand against victim-blaming and participated in what organizers billed as SlutWalk Toronto.

“We realized that the problematic nature of the name of SlutWalk itself has been able to start so many important discussions about what the word ‘slut’ means and about how ‘slut’ is used to devalue and shut down women as unworthy of consideration, protection, and justice. We’re hearing from a lot of people that the name put them off at first, but that they’ve come around to the idea that there’s no better word that sums up the culture we’re trying very hard to deconstruct.”